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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
January 26, 1999

On Behalf of the Chairman of the Monitoring Group

The Monitoring Group met on January 25, 1999 at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider five complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, four filed by Lebanon and one filed by Israel.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Sarba, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 15, 1999, following a large-scale attack by a Lebanese armed group against several military positions, one 105 mm tank round fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in Sarba, damaging one house, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on January 15, 1999, in response to the same military action initiated by a Lebanese armed group, one 120 mm round and one 155 mm round, both fired by Israel and those cooperating with it, damaged a house on the outskirts of As Souanne, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese and Israeli complaints concerning Haddatha, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 16, 1999, in response to an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group, one 120 mm round fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging two houses. The Lebanese delegate stated that the attack was launched according to the provisions of the Understanding and at a safe distance from civilian populated areas, and that the shelling which damaged the two houses constituted a violation of the Understanding. The Israeli delegate stated that the damage caused by this counter-fire demonstrates that this attack was not launched from a safe distance from populated areas and thus constituted a violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Zellaya, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 23, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group, one 155 mm round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging three houses and severing the village electricity net, in violation of the Understanding.

The Monitoring Group underscored the responsibility of Israel and those cooperating with it to take additional precautions to ensure their firing does not endanger civilians or their property, even when such firing is conducted under the pressure of an attack. The Monitoring Group also urged those launching attacks to err on the side of caution in selecting firing sites where there could be a risk of civilian casualties or property damage as a result of counter-fire.

The Monitoring Group expressed its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting.

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